interview : Jay Gordon of Orgy

Fresh off tour and back in the studio, Jay Gordon talks to Auxiliary Magazine’s Arden Leigh about Orgy’s new sound and lineup, his ever-expanding work in electronica, and how one might end up throwing a fire axe into the ceiling of a dressing room.

Recently you’ve been touring and writing with a new line-up for Orgy, and you’ve stated publicly that you wish to revive the band’s brand (something for which I’m personally very grateful, since I have missed the band very much since my days as a star struck teenager). What about the present moment inspired you to prioritize Orgy once again, and how do you feel its brand will differ (or stay the same) from its previous incarnations?
Jay Gordon : Well I’m glad that people haven’t forgotten about the band, and that was the main motivation behind the Revival, no pun intended. [laughs] That and one of the other main reasons is my son Jax wanting to get on stage with me and see the band play live. We’d been in hibernation status, since just before he was born. Seven years. Damn! I remember making the decision to finally get a new band together after Jax said, ‘Daddy, you said you were gonna take me on tour and get on stage with the band.’ I said, ‘That’s exactly what we are gonna do, so gimme a few weeks,’ and like magic it all came together with the new lineup. I don’t believe that there is any one thing that can make you want to do something more than when your kid looks at you and asks you to do it.

As for the branding situation, I have always embraced change as far as my musical endeavors go. I may not have been on the radar this entire time, but I did a lot of genre hopping and whatnot during that period of my life. I just never felt like anything I was writing was gonna be suitable for an Orgy release, so I shifted gears and tried to mess around with different ways to approach this part of my career. It all worked out for the best though.

I think you totally intended that pun, but hey, I’m titling this interview with one of your lyrics, so we’re even. Orgy has been known not only for its music but also for its style, which has been unique among other bands in its genre. In an interview you once referred to yourself as a “fashion bitch”. How would you define your personal style now, and is there a chance we’ll see you in that white suit again?
JG : [laughs] The dreaded ‘white suit’! I don’t think I’ll be wearing that one anytime soon. As far as style goes, I love fashion today, as I did back then, only I don’t drop nearly the kind of cash on a label as I used to.